Duterte appeals to Xi for PH to be given priority once China comes up with COVID-19 vaccine

July 27, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte said on Monday that he appealed to Chinese President Xi Jinping that if China would finally develop a vaccine against coronavirus disease, the Philippines would be one among the countries to be given priority to have access on it.

"Four days ago I made a plea to President Xi Jinping that if they have the vaccine, can they allow us to be one of the first or if it is needed, if we have to buy it, that we will be granted credit so that we can normalize as fast as possible?" Duterte said in his fifth State of the Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.

He said the country's dream of prosperity was suddenly snuffed by the coronavirus pandemic.

The President noted that no nation - whether rich or poor - was spared by the deadly virus.

"But let us not despair. The vaccine is around the corner. Sooner and not later, the virus that gobbled up thousands of lives will itself be laid to rest," he said.

As of July 27, the COVID-19 cases in the Philippine increased to 82,040, with 53,649 active cases, 26,446 recoveries, and 1,945 deaths. Celerina Monte/DMS